AKCA Up 33% In 2 Days, AGTC Awaits XLRS Data, EYPT On Watch

(RTTNews) - The following are some of today's top gainers in the pharma/biotech sector.

1. Oasmia Pharmaceutical AB (OASM)

Gained 29.53% to close Tuesday's (Sep.25) trading at $4.65.

News: No news

Recent event:

On September 21, the Company's Apealea received positive CHMP opinion in the European Union for treatment of platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer, primary peritoneal cancer and fallopian tube cancer in combination with carboplatin in first relapse.

2. Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC)

Gained 26% to close Tuesday's trading at $6.30.

News: The Company has appointed William Aliski to its Board of Directors.

Commenting on the appointment, Sue Washer, President and CEO of AGTC said, "Bill will be an invaluable addition to the AGTC Board of Directors and leadership team. His deep knowledge of biotechnology and the rare disease space, coupled with his consistent record of providing strategic counsel to clinical-stage companies, will be beneficial to AGTC as we continue to advance our lead candidates through clinical trials."

Clinical trials & Near-term Catalyst:

-- The topline interim six-month data from a phase I/II clinical trial of investigational AAV-based gene therapy for the treatment of x-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) are expected by the end of 2018. -- Enrollment of patients in two parallel Phase 1/2 clinical trials of product candidates for achromatopsia (ACHM), caused by mutations in the two most common ACHM genes, CNGB3 and CNGA3, is underway. -- A phase I/II clinical trial of its product candidate for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) is ongoing.

3. EyePoint Pharmaceuticals Inc. (EYPT)

Gained 15.99% to close Tuesday's trading at $3.12.

News: No news

Near-term Catalysts:

-- The FDA decision on whether or not to approve YUTIQ for the treatment of non-infectious posterior segment uveitis is expected on November 5, 2018. -- Launch FDA-approved DEXYCU, a dropless, long-acting therapeutic for the treatment of postoperative inflammation, and YUTIQ, if approved, in the first half of 2019.

4. Quorum Health Corporation (QHC)

Gained 15.70% to close Tuesday's trading at $5.60.

The principal business of Quorum Health Corporation is to provide hospital and outpatient healthcare services in its markets across the United States. As of June 30, 2018, the Company owned or leased 28 hospitals in rural and mid-sized markets located across 14 states and licensed for 2,649 beds.

News: No news

Recent event:

On August 8, the Company reported financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018.

Net loss attributable to Quorum Health narrowed to $26.6 million or $0.92 per share in the recent second quarter from $30.6 million or $1.09 per share for the same period in 2017.

Net operating revenues decreased to $472.6 million in the second quarter of 2018 from $530.1 million in the year-ago comparable quarter.

Looking ahead to full year 2018, the Company expects net operating revenues to be in a range of $1.875 billion to $1.925 billion. Net operating revenues in 2017 were $2.072 billion.

5. Immutep Limited (IMMP)

Gained 12.42% to close Tuesday's trading at $3.62.

News: No news

Recent event:

On September 24, the Company entered into a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Pfizer Inc., to evaluate the combination of Immutep's lead immunotherapy product candidate Eftilagimod alpha with FDA-approved Bavencio (avelumab), in patients with advanced solid malignancies.

Near-term Catalyst:

Marc Voigt, CEO of Immutep, is scheduled to present a corporate overview and business update at 3:30pm ET on Tuesday, October 2, 2018.

Clinical Trials:

Eftilagimod alpha, currently in a Phase IIb clinical trial as a chemoimmunotherapy for metastatic breast cancer termed AIPAC, and a Phase I combination therapy trial in metastatic melanoma termed TACTI-mel.

6. Akcea Therapeutics Inc. (AKCA)

Gained 12.39% to close Tuesday's trading at $37.18.

News: No news

Recent event:

On September 24, Akcea and Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IONS) announced positive topline results from a phase II clinical study of AKCEA-APO(a)-LRx in patients with established cardiovascular disease and elevated levels of lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a). The study demonstrated significant Lp(a) reduction, favorable safety and tolerability profile.

Near-term Catalysts:

-- The Company's antisense drug Tegsedi, designed to reduce the production of transthyretin, or TTR protein, proposed for the treatment of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR), awaits the FDA decision on October 6, 2018. Tegsedi was approved in the European Union on July 11, 2018. -- Additional data from the phase II study of AKCEA-APO(a)-LRx in patients with established cardiovascular disease and elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) will be presented as a late-breaking clinical trial presentation at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Chicago November 10-12, 2018.